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Shopping in Manila, Philippines information

Metro Manila is also known as a shopping haven. Depending on the budget, shoppers can pick between luxurious department stores located in giant shopping malls or scour bargain shops.

Shopping malls include the SM Department Store near the Manila City Hall, Robinson’s Place and Harrison Plaza in Manila; Power Plant, Glorietta, Land Mark and Rustans in Makati City; Shangri La Plaza, SM Megamall, Star Mall and Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City; Greenhills Commercial Center in San Juan; and Araneta Center, Marikina Shoe Fair, Ali Mall and COD in Cubao, Quezon City. There are a dozen of other large shopping centers in the metropolis. Credit cards are accepted in most shopping malls.

For bargain hunters, the places to be are the flea markets in Port Area, Recto, Binondo, Quiapo, Tutuban and Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Parañaque. Port Area is known for its very cheap counterfeit items from China while Recto is famous for its cheap books and “second hand” (read “hot”) cellphones. Divisoria is the wholesale capital, selling everything from delicious food items to wedding dresses. Tutuban Center, a modern shopping mall, has hundreds of stalls selling RTWs, jewelries and home furnishings. Binondo offers a wide selection of ceramics and Chinese items while Quiapo is a mecca for Muslim handicraft. Baclaran is another bargain center in the southern metropolis.

Interesting items are sold at Silahis Arts and Artifacts in Intramuros, Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, and souvenir shops at SM Department Store, Rustan’s and Landmark in Makati City. For handicrafts, the best places to be are Quiapo in Manila and Nayong Pilipino in Pasay City. Specialty stores include Tesoro’s, S.C. Vizcarra, and Silahis Arts in Manila. For antique items, the interesting spots are Padre Paura, Ermita and Intramuros in Manila.

The Philippines is famous for pearls, hand-woven cloths, embroidered fineries, ready-to-wear and haute couture clothes, terra-cotta, porcelain, coral accessories, fabric, pineapple fiber shirts, prehistoric jars, brassware, earthenware, native handicrafts, wood carvings, bags, shoes, fine baskets, woven items, mats, tribal designs, Philippine furniture, Philippine native dress, home furnishings, crafted jewelry, watches, shell decors, office supplies, medical herbs and fresh tropical fruits.

The Greenhills Virra Mall in San Juan sells mobile phones and electronics at cheaper prices than can be found almost anywhere else (at least for genuine items). In Makati City, the Magallanes Center is known for bicycle and golf equipment while the “Save a Lot” American Mall along Pasong Tamo Extension offers used computers and furniture at low prices. In Manila, the San Andres Market is famous for fruits while Seaside Market is known for seafood. The Farmers’ Market in Cubao, Quezon City is also known for tropical fruits.

If you are visiting Intramuros, there are some fine shops offering antiques or furniture items made from local woods including narra (similar to teak), tanigue and cocowood